Longhorns Insider: Like it or not, UT can't help but make news

Updated 8:31 am, Thursday, December 6, 2012

Photo: Jamie Squire, Getty Images

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QB Case McCoy (left) and running back Johnathan Gray are two of UT’s more prominent offensive players. But a third straight year has passed with no Longhorns’ skill-position player being selected to an All-Big 12 team.

QB Case McCoy (left) and running back Johnathan Gray are two of UT’s more prominent offensive players. But a third straight year has passed with no Longhorns’ skill-position player being selected to an

Kansas State’s second resurgence under coach Bill Snyder is complete this season, as the Wildcats won their first conference title since 2003. Only a loss to Baylor, which ended the season with three straight wins, kept Kansas State from a likely date with Notre Dame in the national championship game.

That loss also may have kept Kansas State’s leader, quarterback Collin Klein, from winning the Heisman Trophy. It did not keep him from leading five Wildcats on the Express-News’ 2012 All-Big 12 first team. KSU placed four on the second team. Here are the Express-News All-Big 12 first and second teams, as selected by Express-News college football writers Tim Griffin and Mike Finger:

Note: OSU defensive lineman Nigel Nicolas, a senior, was named to Second Team Defense. He is not pictured.

Kansas State’s second resurgence under coach Bill Snyder is complete this season, as the Wildcats won their first conference title since 2003. Only a loss to Baylor, which ended the season with three straight

Bill Snyder, Kansas State: Directed the Wildcats to a share of only their third conference championship since 1934. Despite being picked in the middle of the Big 12 before the season, Snyder led KSU to its first No. 1 position in the BCS in school history before a late-season loss to Baylor. The Wildcats led the nation in turnover margin, punt returns and kickoff returns and finished third in fewest penalties. Snyder is the Big 12’s only finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award given to the nation’s top coach.

Collin Klein, Kansas State: The Heisman finalist became the first player from a BCS automatic qualifying school in the modern era to rush for at least 20 touchdowns and pass for 10 touchdowns in multiple seasons. He has accounted for 37 touchdowns to rank 11th nationally and he leads all quarterbacks with 22 rushing touchdowns. His current pass efficiency rating of 156.12 ranks third in school history.

Jason Verrett, TCU: The league’s most notable shutdown cornerback finished strongly to help the Horned Frogs lead the conference in rushing defense and total defense, and rank second in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense. Verrett produced 41 tackles, 10 assists and a conference-leading six interceptions. He also was tied for second in the nation with 20 passes defended and blocked a key field goal in overtime in the Horned Frogs’ victory at West Virginia.

Lache Seastrunk, Baylor: Erupted over the second half of the season to become one of the nation’s most spectacular and elusive running backs. After rushing for 181 yards in his first seven games, Seastrunk, a 5-10 sophomore from Temple via a transfer from Oregon, averaged 138.6 yards rushing in his last five games as the Bears finished 4-1 and earned a third consecutive bowl appearance — a feat never before accomplished in Baylor’s 111-season football history.

Devonte Fields, TCU: The 6-4 freshman from Arlington Martin — seen here sacking Texas quarterback Case McCoy — notched 32 tackles, 17 assists and an interception to become a key contributor for a Horned Frogs defense that featured only one senior starter. Fields had nine sacks and 17½ tackles for losses to lead all freshman nationally. He led the Big 12 in tackles for losses and ranked second in sacks.